International students are not eligible for funding, however, we welcome applications from overseas candidates who are either self-funding or in receipt of an alternative funding source.

Applicants must hold, or be expected to achieve, a first or high upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (e.g. BA, BSc) or a Master’s degree (e.g. MRes, MSc), or the overseas equivalent, in a relevant subject.

All students whose first language is not English must be able to provide recent evidence that their spoken and written command of the English language is adequate for the programme according toUCL requirements. Applicants must achieve the level of ‘good’.

Students undertake 3 rotations in their first year before choosing their PhD project. There is a pool of projects (which will be updated annually) to choose from and students have time in induction to meet with potential supervisors and decide on what they would like to do.

Years 2-4

Students select a primary and one or more secondary PhD supervisors and write a short project proposal prior to starting their PhD, for which they will be based in the home department of their primary supervisor.

While submitting an application online, please ensure that you apply for the right programme at UCL:

Programme code: RRDPLSSESB01

Programme name: Research Degree: Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme for the Ecological Study of the Brain

A list of potential supervisors is available here and describes the Ecological Brain research carried out in different labs at UCL. Please note that you are not required to provide a research proposal nor to decide on your supervisor at this stage. However, UCL application system may ask you to give the name of your PhD supervisor, and if this is the case, please select one of the members of the Executive Board: Prof. Gabriella Vigliocco, Dr Hugo Spiers, or Dr Mirco Musolesi.

Please note that the application will be considered as incomplete if you do not provide the following information:

A clear covering letter highlighting your interest in studying for a PhD within the remit of the Ecological Brain research area;

A brief CV outlining your skills and experience essential for a high-quality research;

Two strong reference letters (an email reference request will be made as soon as you submit your application; please ensure that your referees are aware and happy to provide a reference);

It is highly recommended to submit your application 3-4 days before the deadline to avoid delays;

Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

INTERVIEW DATES: End of February/Beginning of March 2019 – TBC

We will contact selected applicants via email shortly afterwards;

At the interview you will be expected to answer some questions about your previous research experience and potential for an academic career;

The interview panel will include min. three Executive Board Members.

ADMISSION:

The results of the interviews will be announced informally via email within three weeks time. A more formal letter from UCL will be sent anytime afterwards. If accepted for admission, the program will start at the end of September 2019.